New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-24


of tidy barge lass-she steered or walked along
! the path behind "Old Soldier the steady, pow
erful old gray who patiently trudged along IN all
weathers, dragging the capacious monhey-boat
with it's varying loads. He didn't need guiding,
not even in the locks into which he drew the
! barge, and then stood, slowly munching out OF
his nose bucket. which Nancy kept like silver,
till he heard old Battsens epigrammatic but
comprehensive order Cup, Sodger.'
! Then on he went again, gradually drawing
the slack rope ont OF the water dripping. ana
whipping the surface till it finally stretched out
taut, and the barge slowly glided out of the
. lock. He knew exactly what 10 do without
Nancy's Now then, my generai| quick
march, cap'cn!" Halt Soldierl" She used
to declare that he minded being called "Soll ier"
more than flick of the short handled whip.
lie had been an officers horse and WAS offended
at bcirg spoken TO like common trooper"
John smiled ms he remembered how Nancy's
laugh and the pat she gave Soldier with her
little wet hand reached him as she said that
They were lust coming out OF the lock- below
Uxbridge; they had cargo of unbroSen nints
that time, and he remembered as he jumped on
board after working the lockgates Just ms she
said it. the splash with which one OF the queer
shaped, white and steely fiints, displaced by his
foot. went into the canal
The sunny picture his slow fancy h,d caIled
up was suddenly followed by the remembrance
of that other cold drilling evening week ago.
when 1t was Nancy who jumped lightly from
| the barge to the path rs they went under the
bridge at Stafford. John sat up suddenly, and for
a moment felt sick and cold as he heard again
the splash and quick little frightened cry with
In the thick shadow of that hideous arch. Sho
had taken the jump scores OF times, but tbs
time she just missed the bricked edge of tho
path, and before her father, who was at tho
helm, could get at her. she went under,
John, who was several yards ahead with the
horse, saw her rise again between the slowly
approaching barge and the brick path, to which
she cung; but before he could reach her and
draw her ont Of the water spasm of anguish
on the girls pale face and one long choled
scream told him that the great numbering barge
had passed just one inch too near the edge and
had crushed as it passed, the slight form.
"Oh, good Godr' muttered John. and drew his
breath sharply through his teeth: even now II
was all and Nancy getting better, he couldn't
think OF il without shudderng.
How he dived under the barge and drew ont
the now inanimate little body and lifted it TO
the many hands stretched ont on the path; how
he and her father white and shaking with
horror took their silent, lifeless burden to Cart
side Street he did not clearly remember
lie remembered the policeman's face clearly.
A pale face showing blue where the chin was
shaved and he remembered too that Nancy y
curls drpped on TO the back OF his hand In the
ambulance carriage, as she lay wrapped IN
blankets across her fathers knee. But after his
own plunge into the water everything seemed
confused and the things done and said were like
the unreal acts and words Of horrible dream.
But she's all right now" said John 70 himself,
"and when she's Mrs. John 1hrupp she shan't
run no more risks, and he gave himself shake
to pull himself together before he got OIL the
tram when il stopped on the white road below
the Hospital.
lie Joined the group Of mothers and fathers and
friends each with their bundles OF clothes. eggs,
and flowers, for the patients going In twos ana
threes up the slope. Some, as he had done last
week, were going for the 1rst time, ana looked
about them curiously; but our bargcc strobe on
quickly, smelling the huge bunch OF stocks ana
wall flowers and mignonctte he was taking
10 Nancy. lie knew his way. and nodded 10 the
man at the lodge as il he were oil friend.
1t was the same blue-and-white nurse on duty
as portcress, and John came in briskly out OF
the sunshine into the cool gray corridor, and
took of his cap with quite n gallant smile ms he
said, before the nurse had spoken this time
ITO sec Nancy Battscn'-and quite proud OF
his knowledge added, "in Haywood Special amt
1t? Only myself, please miss ~,
Tho nurse said "Yes," and added "Ohl-Mr.
Battsen."
John Tbrupp,p said John, smiling still.
"Oh-ycs," said the nurse. MIR. Ihrupp'
walt moment please"
John stood on one side wondering what sne
wanted with him, and wntchcd her oend CAD
man and his wife, who asked Tor johnny
Mahony-a baby" TO North Ward" John Won
dered idly what the matter with Johnny
Marncy.r as The anxious parents called It,
When they turned and wnt of TO the right
John looked after them and did not NOTICE lhe
momcntary hesitation and glance OF PITY INC
little blue-and-white nurse cast on him rs she
laid her book on the bench and got mp and sald'
will you come this way, Mr.. 1hrupp"
"IIas she been moved out Of there? said
John, following as they came opposite the Hay
ward doors.
The doctor wants TO speak to YOU replied
the nurse without answering him. and opened
A. of fbo int uh doctor
taken him last time.
The doctor sitting the other side OF
square, green leather table and looking up
absently from his writing: and then. as John
said cheerly good day. sir" he seemed suddenly
10 recognize the young fellow. worried look
came into his face and he said:
"Oh it's you; wait n moment" and getting
up quickly he followed the nurse out OF the
room, turning to add as he closed the door,
sit down, III be back in moment
John sat down little puzzled; bnt not
shade of anxiety or fear that Nancy was worse
crossed his mind lie had made up his mind
she was nearly well by now, and pictured her'
sitting up perhaps in a long armchair ne
had seen in the Special. The door opened again.
and the doctor came in looking very grave In
deed and shutting the door stood WIN hS p"oN
20 it and said;
"Mr Thrupp, ] am very much distressed to
find you have not had the message l sent 10
Gartside Street last night; l quite thought
you had it," $500
What message, siri" said John, suddenly
frightened at the doctors grave tone. Il didn't
think 10 go and ask for no mcssage-she was
getting better-shc amt no worse, Is she, slr!
She amt bad ngcn, is She doctor?"
my IGOR fellow" said the doctor, his own
face paling a little Il wish you had gone to
enquire. She got much worse yesterday after
noon; before we wired she tried to sit up poor
child, and hcmorrhage, internal hemorrhoge
set in"
And he hesitated again and looked ptyingly
mt poor John, and again went on hurriodly;
ave thought you'd get the wire and he
prepared She sank rapidly. There was no
pain, but we could do nothing. She died about
midnight"
John sat very still, with his cap in his hands,
between his knees staring at the doctor, who |